Castervision

Just another Sleddoggin.com Blogs weblog

Taking precaution before and after Lasik

June 24th, 2010 by andrewcaster

Los Angeles Lasik surgeonLos Angeles Lasik eye surgery is the most successful eye surgery invented. Most patients are thrilled with the result and experience little to no side affects. Complications from Lasik are very rare, but they are possible and minor side affects can occur these include: blurry vision, double vision, head aches from not seeing well and ghost vision. One can reduce their chances or feeling uncomfortable side affects and avoid other complication by choosing the right surgeon and team to perform ones Lasik eye surgery. To find a qualified Lasik eye surgeon one should begin by asking their regular optometrist for a referral to a Lasik eye surgeon. Most optometrists know very good Lasik surgeons and even partner with them at times.

One should visit several eye surgery facilities and make sure to take a look around the office. One must see that the office is clean and run professional and that the staff be available to meet with. In some facilities the patient does not meet with the Los Angeles eye surgeon performing their surgery till right before in which case leaves the patient feeling vulnerable, uncomfortable and very nervous. Avoid centers where there is visible staff conflict. Anyone looking to have Los Angeles vision correction surgery should have realistic expectations. If a patient has realistic expectations they understand their circumstance and know that it is best to steer clear of centers who offer perfection with no complications. A qualified, professional and experienced surgeon will never offer perfection because it is impossible guarantee.

Avoid centers who treat the procedure casually, and are willing to perform the surgery with little or no knowledge of the patients medical history or any current physical. The best Los Angeles Lasik surgeons make it difficult to obtain permission for Lasik, because it is such a serious procedure. Once the Lasik surgeon has verified your medical background and has verified that his patient is in good condition this then ensures the patient that he or she is a good candidate and reduces their chances of complications. When undergoing Lasik eye surgery the patient has a duty to verify that their surgeon is qualified, experienced, has a great track record. The patient should verify the surgeons’ credibility by obtaining references. Finding the right surgeon with the most experience the key to having a flawless surgery, because one should know most problematic surgeries are done by inexperienced surgeons. It is important to ask the surgeons himself about his professional background.

Following the surgery it is important that the patient stay in touch with their surgeon. The patient should attend all post operative exams in order to ensure that everything is healing properly and to early detect if something is not. If a complication is detected early on it is easier to treat and therefore can possibly save the entire surgery and put the patient back on the right track. Taking the right precautions before and after surgery will guarantee that ones eyes will be as good as possible.

Category Los Angeles Lasik Surgeon | No Comments »

Laser vision correction

May 4th, 2010 by andrewcaster

Los Angeles vision correctionIn Los Angeles vision correction procedures are popular among everyone those with vision disorders and those without them alike. Laser eye surgery is the most popular vision correction treatment out there with over 700,000 having laser vision correction surgery every year. Although in most places including Los Angeles Lasik surgery is the most popular laser eye correction treatment it is not the only one available. There are three main types of laser treatments used for laser eye surgery.

The most commonly known and most successful is Lasik eye surgery. During Lasik the cornea which is the heart of almost any and all vision disorders is reshaped using a laser. A flap is cut on the eye and the cornea is reshaped until the eye focuses and the procedure is done in rapid time. Leading Beverly Hills Lasik surgeons although the patient is conscience the whole time the procedure is completely painless, but maybe a bit uncomfortable. Some patients are not candidate for Lasik but the cornea is to thin or sensitive if dealing with other immune crippling illnesses. In some cases most Los Angeles Eye surgeons will determine which vision correction program is best according to the situation.

Photorefractive Keratectomy otherwise known as PRK or Lasek is a different procedure from Lasik which also uses laser technology to minimize and in most cases even eliminate the dependency on glasses and other vision assisting objects. This procedure like Lasik utilizes the laser to reshape the cornea permanently. The difference between Lasek and Lasik is the flap that is cut on the surface of the eye and reattached during the Lasik procedure.

Epithelial laser Keratomileusis or otherwise called E -Lasik is the other well knows laser procedure which is to compete closely with Lasik in safety for various reasons. E-Lasik like PKR eliminates complications of the flap. In most cases Los angeles eye surgeons commonly advocate this Lasek to patients who are looking to have Lasik and are not candidate because of the thinness of the cornea. E-Lasik makes it a lot easier for patients who do not qualify for Lasik qualify for E-Lasik because the solutions and other tools used are specifically for work with sensitive corneas.

Most people who undergo Laser eye surgery come out with perfect and even more than perfect vision. In other cases 20/40 is achieved. It is important that a patient knows and understands that even a procedure which is done flawlessly can result in less than perfect vision. If a surgeon is to blame for under or over correction he in more cases than none goes back in without a problem and fixes the problem right away or within six months. The surgeon will go through the laser eye surgery repeatedly and follow up closely after the procedure.

Category 24394, Beverly Hills Lasik surgeon, Los Angeles Lasik, Los Angeles vision correction | No Comments »

Is Lasik Surgery for You?

March 27th, 2010 by andrewcaster

Lasik Surgery

Is Lasik Surgery for You?

It is hard for people with vision problems to imagine walking into a clinic, and leaving later in the same day with 20/20 vision. However, thanks to new technology in the last 20 years it is safe and possible to do this! Andrew Caster, a popular name in Los Angeles lasik surgery, can wholeheartedly recommend the procedure as he had it done himself in 1996 to correct his nearsightedness and astigmatism. This inspired him to work as a lasik surgeon himself and he has continued to do so almost exclusively since his own surgery. Andrew Caster is a good example of an ophthalmologist who cares about his patients. He says that he advises 30% of his patients not to undergo laser vision correction because they are not ideal candidates! Attention to patients’ needs and best interests is a very important quality one should look for in a lasik surgeon.

Lasik surgery really is a revolutionary process. The procedure uses pulses of invisible, ultraviolet light to remove a microscopic layer from the front surface of the eye, changing the curvature of the cornea. To correct nearsightedness, the cornea must be made flatter. To correct farsightedness, the curvature of the cornea must be increased. To correct astigmatism, the curvature must be altered in one specific direction. What is really amazing is that the total treatment usually takes less than one minute of actual laser application. Unfortunately, with more correction comes a greater risk of complications. Usually patients who have mild vision problems see better results as there is less to correct during the procedure. On the other hand, if there are still problems after the procedure, it is usually possible to do a second procedure to make sure the results are satisfactory to the patient.

News articles and blogs across the internet will tell you different things about Lasik surgery. Some say that the surgery has worked wonders for them, while others say that it made their eyesight worse and it was months before side effects such as blurriness, glare, and light halos disappear. As long as you understand the risks and discuss them with your ophthalmologist, it is a safe procedure, but there are always people who are happy with glasses and contacts and do not want to invest in a procedure that they don’t think will work for them. If you are considering getting lasik Los Angeles or Beverly Hills clinics may be pricier, but the doctors are often very qualified and experienced! At the end of the day, you can always earn your money back but lasik performed by an under-qualified ophthalmologist can damage your eyes irrevocably.

Category Lasik Surgery | No Comments »

Lasik Surgery and Eye Surgery in Los Angeles

January 29th, 2010 by andrewcaster

laser eye surgeryThere are two fundamentally different types of laser eye surgery: Prk and Lasik. Under these two categories, there are several different modifications of each for example, Lasek with an “E” is just a resent type of Prk. All techniques are performed with the patient being awake and with the use of drops to numb the eyes.

All the types of laser eye surgery that fall under the category of Prk, all involve a surface technique designed to remove the cornea’s outermost layer called the epithelium. Rather than creating a flap via a cutting technique as used in Lasik procedures.

Lasik or laser assisted in situ keratomileusis uses a metal blade to cut the cornea flap and a laser to reshape the eye. After the procedure many residents of Los Angeles Lasik was able to restore their vision to near perfect 20/20. Lasik is painless for most patients, and unlike Prk techniques the vision is immediately corrected although there may be some blurriness present for the first 24 hours. But after that the vision will improve over the following few weeks.

Removing the epithelium is the first step of laser eye surgery the next step is reshaping the cornea by the use of the laser. The model of laser varies as do guidance or mapping systems associated with each model. Talk to your local Lasik doctor Los Angeles residents can gain near 20/20 vision. The more precise the mapping and reshaping system is the better the results will be. Most reputable centers for eye laser surgery will tell you that 20/20 vision from laser-corrected surgery may not be like normal 20/20 vision.

There my be some haze or other side effects that can result from laser eye surgery, though techniques and technology are always working towards eliminating these problems.

Category LASIK, laser eye surgery | No Comments »

What Makes A Good Lasik Candidate?

November 26th, 2009 by andrewcaster

Los Angeles eye surgeonAs one of the most common outpatient vision correction procedures, Lasik surgery is a relatively straightforward process with the treatment itself taking only minutes. Los Angeles eye surgeons and surgeons in the world perform Lasik surgery on approximately one million eyes every year and it is no different than any other surgery

Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (Lasik) is intended to eliminate or reduce dependency on eyeglasses or contacts. Beverly Hills Lasik surgery has become more and more popular as the decades progress but still Laser Eye Surgery is not for everyone. Alternative surgery procedures like PRK and Lasik are excellent alternatives to glasses and contact lenses for patients suffering from myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism as well as a wide range of other vision conditions.

A procedure like this can permanently reshape the cornea, which is the clear covering of the front of the eye with the help of a laser. Most patients do not report any problems after the Los Angeles Lasik laser surgery. There are a wide variety of different optical lasers used in this procedure but common for all of them is that the laser will remove some tissue from the cornea.

Patients who have reached or are close to reaching the age of 40 should consider that their vision may be affected by conditions that cannot be treated with Lasik surgery, such as presbyopia. Patients with certain medical conditions or taking certain medications should not choose Lasik surgery because of the implication that it might give, according to top professional Beverly Hills Lasik surgeons. If you’re pregnant or nursing you will fall out of the ideal candidate classification and as it is advised to wait before considering laser vision correction. Patients with a condition called keratoconus are ineligible for the procedure and so are patients who have high levels of refractive error. Both parties are at a slightly higher risk for post-surgical astigmatism.

Laser vision correction surgery is an extraordinary procedure that has helped thousands of people see better and is an exciting opportunity for anyone who suffers from vision problems. Lasik surgery is the preferred vision correction surgery these days, despite its high cost. This type of surgery is however generally not the best option for older patients suffering from age-related conditions. Often these conditions can’t be treated with the Lasik procedure. To learn more about Lasik and laser eye surgery, contact you local Lasik eye specialists to learn more.

Category Los Angeles eye surgeon | No Comments »

Three Things To Consider In Choosing The Right Laser Eye Surgeon

November 25th, 2009 by andrewcaster

Los Angeles eye surgeonIt has been close to twenty years since the laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis procedure (Lasik) was first used in the US, and worldwide, about 3 million laser eye correction surgeries are performed annually. About 2 million to 2.5 million are in North America; about 1.6 million are in the United States alone. With the number of laser eye patients who go in to see their Los Angeles eye surgeon to undergo laser vision correction surgery steadily increasing, more and more people have questions about this vision correction procedure.

A $2-billion industry, Lasik technology in the hands of an experienced, expert Beverly Hills Lasik surgeon has consistently accommodated the needs of people to get rid of their glasses and contacts through laser eye surgery.

Whether it be in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills Lasik eye surgery has always been about the quality and the service of the surgeon providing the procedure. With regards to quality, it is very important to select a laser eye surgeon who is not only certified but experienced with completing numerous successful surgeries. Getting recommendations from known sources is also very useful in locating the right Lasik surgeon. And in terms of service, Los Angeles Lasik patients must consider the kind of care that their surgeon and staff offer before, during, and especially after the procedure.

Lastly and equally importantly, when considering laser eye correction, is what type of eye correction laser to have. Patients are encouraged to research and narrow down the kind of Lasik technology that is right for their needs and budget through consultations, customer testimonials, and personal research. It is advisable to inquire about the wide variety of treatments a laser eye surgeon offers, and select the most appropriate one for one’s own circumstance.

Category Los Angeles eye surgeon | No Comments »

Laser Eye Surgery And Dry Eyes

October 28th, 2009 by andrewcaster

Los Angeles eye surgeonEveryday, a large number of people live with an actual, medical condition referred to as dry eye. When an person’s eyes don’t generate a sufficient amount of tears to maintain adequate lubrication, dry eye occurs and there are many ways people experience this condition depending on the individual. Los Angeles eye surgeons explain that individuals with dry eye may experience a feeling of scratchiness in the eyes, a burning sensation, large amounts of mucous, sensitivity to wind and smoke, and increased light sensitivity. Oddly, individuals with dry eye may also experience excessive tears as the lacrimal glands, which produce tears, try to compensate for the lack of lubrication.

Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, also known as Los Angeles Lasik eye surgery, is a procedure to correct vision in patients who experience myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Among most people who undergo this surgery by a qualified, experienced Lasik surgeon Los Angeles patients end up with 20/20 vision or better without complications, however, LASIK can sometimes leave some patients with dry eye. This is especially true if the patient had dry eye prior to the surgery. In those cases, candidate screening was inadequate and the surgery should not have been done.

During Beverly Hills Lasik eye surgery, the surgeon cuts a thin corneal flap so the cornea can be reshaped underneath the flap using a laser. Creation of the flap inevitably cuts some of the corneal nerve fibers related to tear production. The lacrimal glands are beneath the upper eyelids and just below the eyebrows. They produce tears which flow through a drainage system and flush debris from the eyes. When these nerves are disrupted by flap creation, tear production is reduced and this happens in all Lasik procedures. In most cases the nerves regenerate within a few months and tear production becomes normal. In the meantime, moisturizing eyedrops are prescribed.

Usually dry eyes are a disqualifying condition for Lasik. But an eye surgeon will assess each individual and make a judgment call. It can be treated or managed. Prescription eyedrops can help. Your eye surgeon may insert plugs into the tear duct openings (the puncta; singular is punctum). These openings are in the inner corners of the eyes and allow tears to drain from the eyes into the nasal passages. Punctal plugs reduce tear drainage to keep the eyes better lubricated. Special lubricating drops may also be prescribed for people with mild dryness prior to Lasik surgery to minimize potential complications.

When considering Lasik eye surgery, be sure to inform your Lasik surgeon of your medical history, including any previous diagnosis of dry eye, as well as medications you are currently taking. This will help the surgeon provide you with the most effective, comfortable post-op experience possible. To find out if you are a candidate for Lasik eye surgery, the first step is to contact an experienced Lasik surgeon to learn more.

Category Los Angeles eye surgeon | No Comments »

Which Laser Eye Correction Treatment Is Best For Me?

October 7th, 2009 by andrewcaster

Los Angeles eye surgeon

The most popular variation of laser treatment is called Lasik (for “laser in-situ keratomileusis”). In this technique, the Los Angeles eye surgeon applies the laser upon the cornea, rather than near the corneal surface. This is accomplished by creating a protective flap in the front 20-25% of the cornea and then applying the laser treatment to the tissue beneath the flap. This protective flap can be made with a laser or with a keratome.

The vision correction treatment can also be applied near the surface of the cornea (instead of under a protective flap), in which case the technique is referred to as Advanced Surface Treatment, or “Lasik without a flap”. This technique has several minor variations, which include PRK (for “photo-refractive keratectomy”), Lasek, and Epi-Lasik.

In PRK, the thin layer of soft tissue coating the outside of the eye (the epithelium) is removed and the Beverly Hills Lasik surgeon applies the laser energy to the firm tissue underneath.

In Lasek–with an “e”–the soft tissue on the surface is replaced after the laser treatment. In Epi-Lasik, this thin layer of soft material is folded back using a machine. PRK, Lasek, and Epi-Lasik are very similar to each other.

When the laser treatment is applied to the tissue deep within the cornea (as in Lasik) instead of near the surface (as in Advanced Surface Treatment), the healing is quicker with more rapid vision recovery. Patients usually see quite well the next day after a Los Angeles Lasik treatment. In “Lasik without a flap” the intial healing takes about a week. However, after the healing period is complete, the results are the same with each of these techniques.

Lasik requires an additional surgical step, which is the creation of the protective flap. The flap is created with an instrument known as a keratome or with the IntraLase laser. Creation of the flap takes about 15 seconds and is virtually painless. Complications with the flap occur about 1% of the time. Almost all of the complications are mild and can be easily treated, often by lifting or repositioning the flap. The most serious complication would involve improper creation of the flap; when this occurs, the patient is asked to wait three months, and then can return for a repeat treatment.

With either Beverly Hills Lasik or “Lasik without a flap”, there are two types of computer software that can be used, known as conventional and Custom. Both of these use the same laser to perform the vision correction treatment. The conventional software works like glasses or a contact lens; there is one prescription that covers the entire eye. Obviously, this produces excellent vision, just as do glasses and contact lenses. With Custom treatment, an additional modification is made in the treatment to account for additional irregularities in the vision. On average, the Custom treatments produce slightly better vision than the conventional software.

At the Caster Eye Center, we perform all of the variations of laser vision correction. All of the variations produce excellent vision. During your consultation, we will obtain measurements of your eyes, and Dr. Caster will personally talk to you and determine which procedure is the best for your specific situation. In this careful way, we obtain the best vision possible for our patients.

Category Beverly Hills Lasik | No Comments »

Answers: Advanced Surface Treatment LASIK Without A Flap

August 26th, 2009 by andrewcaster

Los Angeles eye surgeonMany of my friends have had Lasik. Why do you sometimes recommend “Lasik without a flap”?


According to a top qualified Los Angeles eye surgeon, there are certain people for whom “Lasik without a flap” is the preferred technique. In the following situations, “Lasik without a flap” is the safer choice: moderate to extreme dry eyes, very thin corneas, thin corneas combined with large corrections, irregular topography (curvature test) that may indicate an inherent weakness in the cornea, or hobbies or professions (such as boxing) where there is a very high likelihood of being hit in the eye. Safety needs to be our most important consideration, and for these certain people, “Lasik without a flap” is safest.

What Are The Disadvantages Of “Los Angeles Lasik Without A Flap”?

There are two disadvantages. The main disadvantage is that “Lasik without a flap” takes longer to heal. The vision is often around 20/40 to 20/50 during the first week. 20/40 vision is required to legally drive a car. You will certainly have adequate “walking around” vision to perform most daily tasks, but it is certainly possible that you will not see well enough to legally drive or see clearly enough to work at a computer or read extensively during the first week. Although most people choose to have both eyes treated on the same day, some people choose to have “Lasik without a flap” one eye at a time, and then they can work during the first week while the eye is healing. With Lasik, most people return to work the very next day. The second disadvantage is on and off discomfort during the first week, which is very well controlled with “comfort” drops as well as anti-inflammatory pills.

Do you perform other forms of laser vision correction in addition to
“Lasik without a flap”?

Among the many services provided by your experience Lasik doctor Los Angeles patients have all the variations of laser vision correction, including Lasik, IntraLasik (Lasik with a laser flap), and “Lasik without a flap” available as possible laser eye correction options.

I want the Custom Wavefront treatment. Can I have that with “Lasik without a flap”?

Yes, we can perform the Custom Wavefront treatment with Lasik, IntraLasik, and “Lasik without a flap”.

How is “Lasik without a flap” performed?

As explained by a top Lasik surgeon Los Angeles without a flap uses the exact same laser as Lasik or IntraLasik. However, instead of creating a flap (which is the thickness of a human hair) and then performing the treatment on the part of the eye under the flap, the treatment is performed near the surface of the eye. This is why this technique is often referred to as Advanced Surface Treatment. The thin layer of material covering the surface, which is very soft, is wiped away, and the laser treatment is then applied to the firmer material underneath.

Which gives better results: Lasik, IntraLasik, or “Lasik without a flap”?
In our hands, the final vision is the same with each of these variations. Lasik provides the most rapid return to excellent vision, followed by IntraLasik, and then “Lasik without a flap”. We want to make the recovery as easy and quick for you as possible, but our main concern is which technique will be the safest technique for your particular situation.

What care is required after “Lasik without a flap”?

A special contact lens, which we put in and later take out, is worn for 5-7 days. You will need to take antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops, and we will give you anti-inflammatory pills.

Is “Lasik without a flap” very common?

About 10% of the laser treatments in the United States are “Lasik without a flap”. It has been performed since 1995, and very significant improvements have taken place over the years. Advanced Surface Treatment is becoming more popular each year, as doctors understand that for certain groups of people it is the safest choice.

Category Los Angeles eye surgeon | No Comments »

The Treatment Is Easy

August 13th, 2009 by andrewcaster

Beverly Hills Lasik surgeonDrawn from top Los Angeles eye surgeon Dr. Andrew Caster’s book Lasik: The Eye Laser Miracle, the following takes the patient step-by-step through the laser vision correction process from start to finish.

Los Angeles Lasik Laser Vision Correction Very Easy Procedure To Undergo

No injections are needed, and there is no pain during the procedure. These are the steps you will experience:

  1. 1. Your doctor will measure your eyes to determine your amount of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. During this presurgical consultation, your doctor will complete a thorough examination of the health of your eyes and discuss the procedure in detail with you.

2. The laser will be calibrated and tested for accuracy.

3. The correction desired for your eye will be entered into the laser’s omputer.

4. The computer will determine the specific set of laser pulses to apply.

5. You will be brought into the laser room and asked to lie down.

6. A patch will be placed over the eye not having the procedure.

7. Anesthetic eyedrops will be place in the eye. No injections or IVs are needed.

8. Your eyelid will be held open with a small speculum, which causes no pain.

9. You will be asked to look at a small blinking light.

10. In Lasik, a small layer of tissue, known as the corneal flap, will be separated and lifted. In PRK, the Beverly Hills Lasik surgeon will gently wipe away the soft, superficial layer covering the cornea.

11. You will hear a clicking noise, the sound of the laser.

12. The blinking light will get hazy as the treatment progresses.

13. The treatment will usually take less than thirty seconds of laser time.

14. Eyedrops will be placed in the eye. In some cases, a temporary contact lens will be placed in the eye as well.

15. In most cases, the procedure will then be repeated for the second eye.

16. You will sit up and rest for a few minutes before going home. Your stay in the treatment room has lasted about five to ten minutes.

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? And it is. But how accurate are the results? What can go wrong? Are you a suitable candidate for laser vision correction or should you consider alternatives? These questions can be effectively addressed by your Beverly Hills Lasik eye surgeon.

Category Beverly Hills Lasik | No Comments »